Ashley

Please excuse the dozen of questions, but this is driving me crazy <img src="smileys/smiley18.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

What exactly is TLHBalloonParent.exe? Why is it started by C2 silently? And why does it need 6 or 7 copies of it running simultanously?

I'd prefer not to have executables started without my permission. On my system I have Balloon Tips disabled, because they are very annoying on XP. Because of the similar name I wonder if C2 tries to start a replacement for it? Or is it some kind of virus hitchhiking C2?

From what I can tell, those executables seem to be started whenever I use the color picker from the image editor. All copies exit when I exit C2.

And last question: How can I prevent TLHBalloonParent.exe from being started by C2?

—

I'm jealous now. All of my novel summed up in one sentence. <img src="smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

I did understand what you said earlier and therefor showed how local variables are used. The "check local variables" is the last line in my example (System | lotVar = 1). As soon as the local variable is created it can be used for comparison.

But it is crucial to understand the "philosophy" (sorry, I lack the right words here) of variables.

There are three different kinds of variables in C2. Global, local and instance. They differ mainly in their scope.

A global variable is valid all over the layout, visible and usable for every event and object.

An instance variable can be accessed from anywhere in the event sheet, but is not unique. It shares its name (and access rule) with all other instances, and lives with an object.

A local variable is only generable within subevents and only lives for the time the subevent is executed. So to access it you need to create a subevent in the same subevent level, where the local variable was created.

Start of layout

Local variable

Local variable = some value -> do something

Trying something like this:

Start of layout

Local variable

Enemy died

local variable = some value -> do something

is impossible. The local variable created in Start of layout doesn't exist anymore when "Enemy died" happens. Therefor you can't find any option to compare the local variable of "Start of layout" in the "enemy died" event.

... , game ideas aren't copyrighted , he can make a tetris clone with his own assets and no one will harm him ...

Whiteclaws

From the U.S. Copyright Office: "Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed."

So in the case of Breakout this means, you may very well have an idea of a paddle pushing a ball that destroys bricks of a wall and bounces back. But when shaping this idea to a game, it MUST NOT be similar to the game Breakout. By substantially altering it, you avoid copyright infringement. For example, use a slingshot instead of a paddle, use real world physics and let the bricks of a wall instead be balloons floating in the air. Now it's your own original work and no derivative anymore. Unless you describe somewhere, that you based this game on Breakout...

In the case of Tetris I can only recommend what I already said about Breakout. It simply isn't sufficient to just make Tetris with your own assets. I'd again say to google it, but to make your search easier, I'll link to just one of so many articles about it: http://www.webpronews.com/tetris-clones-beware-you-may-be-held-accountable-for-copyright-infringement-2012-06

Can not warn enough:

Use game concepts like Breakout/Arkanoid to learn game development. Atari/Taito will be flattered.

But don't, never ever, publish a Breakout clone. It is not the name that is copyrighted, it is the whole game!

You might get away with it when you're not making much profit or gain any attention. But it is intelectual property that you are using without permission. Getting away with it doesn't mean it's legal.

And as soon as you are making profit, gain attention or get in competiton with the copyright holder (e.g. publishing for iOS, where Atari already sells their own Breakout derivatives), the lawyers will knock at your door.

You don't think so? Just google for "breakout copyright" and you will see what I mean.

From the U.S. Copyright Office: "Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed."

So in the case of Breakout this means, you may very well have an idea of a paddle pushing a ball that destroys bricks of a wall and bounces back. But when shaping this idea to a game, it MUST NOT be similar to the game Breakout. By substantially altering it, you avoid copyright infringement. For example, use a slingshot instead of a paddle, use real world physics and let the bricks of a wall instead be balloons floating in the air. Now it's your own original work and no derivative anymore. Unless you describe somewhere, that you based this game on Breakout...

But seriously, wouldn't it be easier to create a unique game with an original idea?

newt

Thanks, I created a bug report. And sorry for almost misusing the thread <img src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

Link to .capx file (required!):

This is an user interface issue of C2 itself. I refer to this post instead: http://www.scirra.com/forum/topic68143_post451577.html#451577

Steps to reproduce:

1. Start Construct 2

2. Open the "Edit theme colors" dialog

3. Try to change any color

Observed result:

Colors can't be changed due to further actions (opening color picker) missing.

Expected result:

Being able to change a color.

Browsers affected:

Chrome: no

Firefox: no

Internet Explorer: no

Operating system & service pack:

Win XP SP3, 32-bit. Balloon tips disabled. Graphics drivers up-to-date. Tested as user and as administrator.

Construct 2 version:

r139 stable

I tryed in the free edition and it works. <img src="smileys/smiley3.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

I can't get it to work, or I'm doing something wrong! I'm trying to change colors by opening the following dialog:

<img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11182740/pictures/themecolors.png" border="0" />

All I can do there is to click on one of the items in the "elements" column. This does nothing besides showing the item selected. I tried single-click, double-click and right-click on any item in any column or row. Also, I repeated all tests with C2 started as admin.

What am I doing wrong?

Is editing theme colors a full version only feature? I tried the "Edit theme colors" dialog, but besides listing all colors, I can't do anything. Nothing is clickable/changable.

Is there no way to just check a local variable? In the SYSTEM actions it says global and local variables, but when you try to use it to call or check a variable it only allows you to select globals.Something's wrong in your event sheet. Might want to share it?

Here's an example using local variable:

+ System | On start of layout
    Local number lootVar = 0
    + (empty event)        -> System | Set lootVar to round(random(1, 3))
                              Text   | Set text to lootVar
    + System | lootVar = 1 -> Text | Set text to "loot"

picky <img src="smileys/smiley19.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

It won't be less CPU taxing to display less decimals, it will just look neater.This.

Plus: the conversion uses processor time, adding to the load.

It's just us humans who need numbers to be displayed with as less digits as possible - as long as we are not talking about our income <img src="smileys/smiley36.gif" border="0" align="middle" />